Shuffleboard weight



United States Patent Ofiice 2,704,211 Fatented Mar. 15, 1955 SHUFFLEBOARD WEIGHT Carmine Decepoli, Belleville, N. J.

Application October 13, 1949, Serial No. 121,173

8 Claims. (Cl. 273-128) My invention relates to an improvement in the identification of weighted discs of the type commonly employed in playing games upon a shuflieboard or other surface whereon the player by his skill seeks to slide such a disc or Weight to a desired position.

One object of my invention is to provide in such a weight means for identifying it when it is some distance away from the observer and under lighting conditions generally found existent in and about playing tables.

Another object is to furnish such a weight not only with identifying means that will permit it`to be distin guished from the weights used by opposing players but to indicate ownership or source of manufacture of such weight.

Still another object is to equip such a weight with identifying means that will enhance the appearance of the weight and will not detract from any -of its playing qualities. i

A further object is to make possible the incorporation of such improved identifying means in an economical manner at the time the weight is manufactured.

Another object that is obtained is the firm retention of identifying means even under the rough conditions of use to which such Weights are put.

Other objects will appear from the description which follows.

' In the drawing which illustrates several applications of my invention to a shuflleboard weight.

Figure 1 is a top view.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken through the center of the weight of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a similar cross sectional view showing a modified form of identification disc.

Figure 4 like Figure 3 shows still another modification of the identification disc.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of a weight having a modification both with respect to the size of its central recess and imbedded identification disc.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of a modification in location of the principal identification means.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view showing a modification of the side wall of the central recess;

Figure 8 is similar to Figure 7 showing still another modification.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary cross sectional view showing a modification of the shoulder recess ofthe weight of Figure 6. Y

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view showing a different holding means for the identification disc.

Figure ll shows still another modification in identification disc holding means.

Referring to the drawings in which the same number refers to the same or a similar part, all of the weights shown consist of disc shaped body member 1 having a circular depression or central recess 2 in their top surface. Groove 4 encircles the periphery of most of the weights shown near their top surface and the surface of this groove may be painted with a distinguishing color to match the color of the identification disc 10 seated in central recess 2. The use of groove 4 is optional but with it an observer has a further color means for identifying the weight.

In Figures 2 to 6 inclusive central recess 2 is shown with undercut 3 surrounding it. This undercut 3 furnishes a seating for indicia bearing printed label 17 which may be of paper or cardboard or other material and laid directly on the bottom of central recess 2. I

find that the use of black letters upon a white background makes this label clearly visible through the plastic identifigation disc 10 which is more fully described hereina ter.

Identification disc 10 is preformed of a colored transparent plastic material such as methyl methacrylate and Figure 2 illustrates one form that l find desirable. In Figure 2 is shown a concave peripheral surface 11 just below the top surface with the balance of the peripheral surface of the disc shaped to conform to the internal contours of central recess. The preformed disc may under heat and pressure be seated in central recess 2 and there after firmly held by and in undercut 3, pressing label 17 flat against the bottom of central recess 2. Concave peripheral surface 11 may be polished or may be used in an unpolished condition. Instead of heat and pressure to insert the disc it may, with appropriate dimensioning of mating surfaces, be contracted by cooling to a low temperature to permit insertion. Restoration to preformed size will occur at normal room temperatures and firmly engage the disc in central recess 2.

The top surface of the weight is provided with an outward and downwardly sloping marginal surface area 8 so that identification disc 10 has its concave peripheral surface 11 completely exposed. Light striking the top surface of the disc is refracted to illuminate concave surface 11 which will appear translucent. Thus an observer when looking down upon the weight may clearly see through it and read the legend on label 17. When viewed from the side the identification disc edge is translucent, its color is enhanced and the weight readily identifiable by color alone.

Figure 3 illustrates a modification in the exposed peripheral surface of identification disc 10. In this instance a stepped outline 12 instead of a concave surface is formed.` Again the disc is transparent when viewed from the top, translucent when viewed edgewise.

Figure 4 illustrates a disc having a dome or convex surface 13.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate weights with a smaller central recess 2 which may be preferred by some players. In Figure 5 the top surface area 9 of the weight by way of modification is sloped downwardly and inwardly. Within central recess 2 identication disc 10 of comparable size is seated upon label 17 just as larger discs are seated in the larger central recesses illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4.

Figure 6 shows a modification in the location of plastic identifying means. In this figure plastic ring 14 is seated in and firmly held in and by shoulder recess 7 encircling the upper portion of the weight. Ring 14 is formed of colored plastic material such as methyl methacrylate and is preformed so that its internal diameter is slightly less than the diameter of the weight at shoulder recess 7. The outside diameter of ring 14 is the same as the outside diameter of the weight and is contoured to finish ofi the weight so that there is an uninterrupted smooth exterior contour when the weight is completely assembled. Ring 14 is heated, slipped into place and after cooling contracts and is firmly held in the position shown in Figure 6. Within central recess 2 label 17 is shown covered by a transparent colorless plastic cover 16, both being held in position in undercut 3 by split ring 15 seated therein. If desired, recess 2 and the label 17 and cover 16 may be dispensed with and the top of the weight finished to any suitable contour.

It is apparent that many modifications may be made in the recess and other holding means for the plastic identification discs and rings. For example, Figure 7 shows a frusto conical wall 5 surrounding central recess 2. Figure 8 shows serrated side wall 6 for central recess 2. Figure 9 similarly shows serrated wall 6 for houlder recess 7 against which ring 14 of Figure 6 may ear.

Figure l0 shows a modification in the method by which the identification disc 10 may beheld in place. In this illustration central recess 2 has a frusto conical Wall 5 and preformed identification disc 10, with its maximum diameter at its base slightly larger than the minimum diameter of the opening to central recess 2, may be readily slipped, without distortion and with or without preliminary chilling or heating, within central recess 2 and on aro-1,211'

top of label 17. Next split ring 15 is forced beneath the' top edge of wall and it will center identification disc and hold it firmly in position.

Figure 11 shows another disc holding construction. In this form continuous groove 18 in the side wall of central recess 2, encircles the recess and is of a depth equal approximately to one-half the thickness of split ring 15. Groove 19 in the edge of preformed disc 10 encircles it in registry with groove 18 and has a depth suicient to accommodate the entire thickness of split ring 15. The disc is inserted by first seating split ring 1S in groove 19 and with such ring flush with the edge of disc 10, the disc may be slipped into position in central recess 2. When grooves 18 and 19 are in registry split ring opens to occupy portions of both grooves, locking disc 10 in place.

It s evident that many modifications in this type of holding means may be made. Spring sections or clips may be employed instead of a split ring; interrupted grooves may be used; and the locations and dimensions of the interlocking features varied.

I find that in the use of weights embodying the identification discs or rings, as illustrated, players are able to distinguish their weights without difficulty even at the ends of long shufiieboards or other playing surfaces. I also find that, when an overhead light such as is generally provided is used where the scoring boards are located, the identification means will be conspicuously illuminated. I also have found that properly prepared plastic discs will withstand, without marring, the rough usage to which shuflieboard weights are subjected. With the holding means described they are firmly fixed in place and do not become loosened as the result of use.

Changes and modifications may be made in the illustrations shown and described, and it will be understood that some features of the construction may be used alone or in different combinations without departing from the scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A shufiieboard weight comprising a discoid body member of steel with a concentric recess in its top surface and seated therein a colored translucent member of plastic material with an exposed peripheral edge surface terminating inwardly of and in proximity to the marginal edge of the body member.

2. A shuflieboard weight comprising a discoid body member of steel with a central recess in its top surface filled to an elevation above the surrounding surface with a solid colored translucent member of plastic material terminating at its marginal edge inwardly of and in proximity to the marginal edge of the body member.

3. A shufiieboard weight comprising a discoid body member of steel with a central recess in its top surface filled to an elevation above the surrounding surface with a colored translucent member of plastic material terminating at its marginal edge inwardly of and in proximity to the marginal edge of the body member; and an annular groove with painted surface in the peripheral surface of the discoid body member.

4. A shufiieboard weight comprising a discoid body member of steel; a central recess in its top surface with the top portion of the side wall surrounding the recess sloping upward away from the recess; an undercut in the lower portion of the side wall of such recess; an indicia bearing label seated on the bottom of the central recess in such undercut; and a disc of colored transparent plastic completely filling the balance of the central recess and having a plane top surface elevated above the surrounding top surface of the discoid body member terminating at its marginal edge inwardly of and in proximity to the marginal edge of the body member.

5. A shufiieboard Weight comprising a discoid body member; a central recess in its top surface with the top surface surrounding the recess sloping upwardly away from it; an undercut in the side wall of such recess; an indicia bearing label seated on the bottom of the central recess in such undercut; and a disc of colored transparent plastic completely filling the balance of the central recess and having a plane top surface elevated above the top surface of the discoid body member.

6. A shutlleboard weight comprising a discoid body member; a central recess in its top surface with the top surface surrounding the recess sloping upwardly away from it; an undercut in the side wall of such recess; an indicia bearing label seated on the bottom of the central recess in such undercut; a disc of colored transparent plastic completely filling the balance of the central recess and having a plane top surface elevated above the top surface of the discoid body member; and an annular groove with painted surface in the peripheral surface of the discoid body member.

7. A shufiieboard Weight comprising a discoid body member; a central recess in its top surface; an undercut in the side wall of such recess; an indicia bearing label and a transparent plastic disc covering such label, both seated on the bottom of the central recess in such undercut; a split ring filling the balance of such undercut; a shoulder recess in the top surface of the discoid body member; and an annular colored translucent member completely filling such shoulder recess with its exposed surfaces smoothly merging with the surrounding surfaces of the discoid body member.

8. A shufiieboard weight comprising a body portion of steel and a head portion of plastic material secured to' and extending above the top of the body portion and terminating at its marginal edge inwardly of and in proximity to the marginal edge of the body.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 222,580 Fest Dec. 16, 1879 715,795 Haskell Dec. 16, 1902 1,118,727 Bibeault Nov. 24, 1914 2,337,792 Yokell Dec. 28, 1943 2,354,857 Gits Aug. 1, 1944 2,410,845 Snell Nov. 12, 1946 2,425,966 Tjomsland Aug. 19, 1947 2,444,810 Creasy July 6, 1948 2,467,043 Kotler Apr. l2, 1949 

